1939: The first south addition began, with aid of student fees; housed South Ballroom, more space in the Commons and six bowling lanes.

1943: Stained glass windows installed in Gold Star Hall.

1948-49 The second addition began with construction of a multi-story wing in the southeast corner; houses a dish room adjoining the main kitchen and meeting rooms on upper floors; third addition also began – a south terrace houses eight more bowling lanes.

1950-53: The fourth addition began with construction of northwest wing and west terraces; included air conditioning for the first time.

1984:Names of Iowa Staters who perished in World War II, Korea and Vietnam are engraved in walls of Gold Star Hall.

1992: Extensive renovation of University Book Store occurs.

1995-96: Extensive first floor renovation for changeover of the cafeteria to a Food Court, and updated main kitchen, as well as student offices north of the main hallway; tenth addition is a utilities unit on the north/courtyard side of the southeast addition.

2003: The corporation is dissolved, allowing the Memorial Union to become a department of the University.

2006-08: Construction of the eleventh addition to the building (the third south addition) houses expanded book store space, the MU Market & Café and the Soults Family Visitor Center; also includes extensive renovation to the second floor, including restoration of the Great Hall and South Ballroom, relocation of the Main Desk and establishment of the Multicultural Center.

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